Israeli Government Warns Budget Freeze Could Close Holy Sites and Disrupt Religious Services

The Israeli government has issued a stark warning to the Supreme Court regarding the severe consequences of freezing budget transfers approved by the Finance Committee. This warning was submitted in response to an ongoing petition in the High Court of Justice. The State Prosecutor's Office emphasized that Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich insists on a swift ruling on the petition itself rather than just a temporary injunction.

According to the government, freezing these budget transfers could hamper the ability of various ministries to operate normally and provide public services, with negative effects potentially starting from September 1. A key focus of the government's submission is a request to exempt funds allocated to rabbinical courts from any interim freeze. The state highlighted that freezing budgets for these courts from August 23 could immediately disrupt their IT and support services.

The government also included an urgent letter from Yehuda Avidan, Director General of the Ministry of Religious Services, warning that a budget shortfall could force the ministry to halt essential services as early as next week. Avidan detailed that the funds in question cover daily operations of the ministry, rabbinical courts, holy sites, payments to suppliers, employee salaries, security, cleaning, rent, municipal taxes, and IT systems. He stressed that the month of Elul is one of the busiest periods, with thousands of worshippers visiting holy sites daily, and without the budget, necessary security and cleaning cannot be maintained.

Avidan issued the most severe warning that holy sites such as the Cave of the Patriarchs, Rachel's Tomb, and Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai's tomb could be closed starting Sunday if the budget is not approved. He also warned of the collapse of the ministry's IT infrastructure and the inability to pay suppliers or maintain staff. Referencing the Mount Meron disaster, Avidan cautioned that budget cuts to security and services at holy sites pose unnecessary risks to public safety.

The government requested the Supreme Court to set expedited timelines for the petition's resolution and to specifically exclude rabbinical court budgets from any interim freeze due to their judicial function. This legal dispute arises amid controversy over convening the Finance Committee during the Knesset recess and debates about the need for a consensus committee's approval. The government maintains that the budget requests stem from prior cabinet decisions and that the Finance Committee's procedures were proper. The court now faces a critical decision balancing legal and practical concerns, with the potential closure of holy sites and disruption of essential religious services looming if funds remain frozen.